Mid Engine V8 Barchetta Build

 I got pretty bogged down with clutch details on my Renault, and I decided to get started on a new project. I've been designing this thing in solidworks whenever I've had downtime or can't get out to the garage to work on the Renault. I posted about it awhile ago, when I was thinking id do a modern transverse V6, but I've gone a bit off the deep end since then. I bought a never-rebored 4bolt 350 SBC locally(the guy thought it was a large journal 2 bolt main 327) as well as a richmond 2.43 1st super T-10, Winters Sprint Quick change, an IDF manifold, 15x10 & 15x8 TorqThrust Ds, 295/50/15 tires for the rear, 255 fronts, and a set of trickflow heads and a cam(its their advertised 420hp top end kit)

I'll be doing a DOM tube frame and a hammerformed 3003 alu body(luckily, there isnt much bodywork to it)

I'm basing the transaxle off the Bob McKee recipe, but a richmond super t-10 instead of the borg-warner, and a winters sprint instead of a halibrand 201. This does mean i loose reverse out of the maincase(output shaft coming from the quick change to the pinion has to occupy the space of the reverse layshaft ), but I can probably get a reverse gear between the trans output and the qc(4 forward speeds AND 4 reverse)

maybe i can linkage it so it will only go in reverse if its in 1st.

But anyway, someone brilliant here did a 3d scan with a kinect and I gave it a shot for scanning my transaxle parts. Not dimensionally accurate, but damn good enough for a placeholder in the model! 

Also I printed some 50mm IDF style throttle bodies as well as a mold to sand cast them in aluminum. 

I also am planning on white180 deg headers. I have them within .5" of each other in the CAD at 41" primary length 

Ill get into some more detailed stuff but I wanted to throw this out into the aether because Im pretty excited about it

I love the cad , I assume you do CAD  at work , 

are there  any throttle bodies  off a production car that has a bolt on base like the Webers ?

I am much more impressed with all this than kitty is.

I'll be following this one closely.

The proportions of the CAD model look great!

Wow, looks like an awesome start.

californiamilleghia said:

I love the cad , I assume you do CAD  at work , 

are there  any throttle bodies  off a production car that has a bolt on base like the Webers ?

None come to mind, by Jenvey, Borla and others make them ready to go with fuel rails, etc. for DCOE/DCNF/IDF, etc.

Holy cats. At first I was pretty mad that the Renault got moved back in priority...But after seeing the parts and rendering, I'm not even mad. 

+/-.5" on your headers is pretty darn good. 

Subbed, for sure

In reply to californiamilleghia :

Jenvey & borla has a set but i just cant justify the 1200$ for the set. I really want to be sub 10k into this build(yeah right) Ive cast a few TBs before and I have some ideas to do short production run. Its kinda what i do professionally, but alot more fun

i know! I need to get back to the renault. It ought to be proper fast. But i have to come up with a cable clutch linkage for it and after having to rebuy a few clutches because i didnt know what year renaults had what clutch, i got a bit disheartened. SBCs and old school domestic parts are soooo much easier than obscure vintage french parts

Mezzanine said:

Holy cats. At first I was pretty mad that the Renault got moved back in priority...But after seeing the parts and rendering, I'm not even mad. 

+/-.5" on your headers is pretty darn good. 

SO in for this.

Subbed. Very similar looking to what I want to do with my Boxster, the differences being mine will be road legal and you know what you're doing.

So ready to start cutting tube. 

Very cool!

Your surface work in SW is terrific.  I wish I was better at it.

Machinery's Handbook FTW

also, i super dig those headers. i wanted to do something similar for MonZora but i fear it would take me forever to execute.

I am pilling on the desire to follow along on this one.  I'm loving the mix of Xbox Kinnect 3d Scanning, 3D Printing, a T10, Iron Block V8 and Cooper Radial GT tires.    It's just so "I'm going to build what I want".   

I like this build so much. I desperately want something in this vein. Hell, I've been threatening the girlfriend with selling off most of the fleet and building a lotus 49.

I'd like to know more about your drivetrain hardware.  I'm not familiar with the gearbox/differential and how I might be able to source something similar.

This has a terrific '60's/early Can-Am vibe!

Cripes this looks like it's going to be impressive. Hell, it already is!

What a cool assortment of parts. 

Oh, E36 M3.

This will be dangerous to my wallet....

You'll definitely be able to outrun those gleaming alloy air cars that are two lanes wide.

Following along!

In reply to Azryael :

Only if it's red.

Wow!  Like a CanAm car. Very cool. 

In reply to AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) :

Now it has to be red... even if we have to put it to a vote.

You may want to look at zx12r throttle bodies. They use a 2 bolt flanged rubber base with a hose clamp to the throttle body.

They are 46mm iirc.

Sean